Had a conversation with Jack Morris, the editor of North Shore Magazine yesterday about blogging and the newspaper business. Jack worked for Fox as their web manager for a while and now is the man at North Shore Magazine. Look for one of my photos in the next edition.
We spoke for a while about newspapers and what way it seems they are evolving in the digital age- agreeing that the newspapers that ignore or do not embrace social online networking to it’s fullest extent are doomed to fail.
People in conversations weekly tell me that they love GMG and that I should start an alternative to the Times. Firstly I am flattered by the suggestion but in reality what we do on GMG is nothing like what goes into putting out a daily newspaper and the local newspapers are crucial to keep going and support.
See, we get to choose fun stuff and things that matter to us to put into GMG. We don’t have to report on the puss. We don’t have to attend tax classification hearings or talk about the police or fire department negotiations with the city. We don’t have to do the obituaries or stories about Marshalls coming to town. We do stuff because we love it or we think you our readers will love it. It’s similar but a different animal what we do and what the newspaper does.
My grammar sucks and if it weren’t for spellcheck my spelling really sucks. I make mistakes and sometimes don’t bother to correct them because I know my point got across. If the local paper makes spelling or grammar mistakes people get all up in their shit.
I guess if you are a paid journalist you should be able to use proper punctuation but I never claimed to be a journalist. I’m a blogger and my job as a blogger is to keep you entertained and to fill my creative needs. I think for the most part we accomplish that here at GMG but please don’t confuse us for a newspaper or take our local newspapers for granted. They keep honest politicians honest and report on the stuff that would slip between the cracks because bloggers would never bother with the little stories and the police notes and all the comprehensive stuff that makes up our newspapers.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Boy, are you correct about that most people don’t understand what it takes to get a newspaper printed every day.
I started with Compugraphic, a maker of phototypesetting devices, in 1970. I turned most newspapers in the South over from Hot Metal to cold type.
Then I moved a few other companies, before working for Stars and Stripes in Germany.
My last job was with an Aussie firm doing full computerized layout with colour separation, at the National Sports Daily in Downtown Manhattan
The paper was on 5th Avenue and there wasn’t an old style back shop, just computers, we did it all, when it was ready it was sent electronically to printing plants all around the country and printed and distributed from that region.
Great Blog, thanks
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Holy mackerel you’ve been around! What was your favorite city?
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Great post! Perhaps people think they are being complimentary and encouraging when they suggets your blog become an alternative to the Times. However, as LK above says, they really don’t know how much work is behind putting out a paper. So no doubt their comments are said out of goodwill, but I appreciate your response as well. Gloucester Rocks!
You did a wonderful job of pointing out some of the differences. Your blog is a totally different format, and you do a wonderful job showcasing all the fanatastic things about Gloucester.
I happen to also love magazines and newspapers, and am saddened by the demise of the printed non-digital word, yet at the same love that I can simply go on-line and read the WSJ, NYT, and my local paper.
Some of our local papers here in Michigan have gone kaput in the last year, and it’s a loss to the communities they served. There is nothing like seeing your child’s photo, or a story about a local team, in print. And as nice as it is, a digital printout isn’t the same as cutting the article out of the paper and putting it in a scrapbook or wherever all the other mementos are kept.
I love digital, I love print, and I love what you do on this blog!
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I agree, and thanks…
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Joey:
Great write-up explaining your reason for bringng the GMG Blog entertainment into our lives. Couldn’t go a day without snuggling with Caleigh Lyn & Caleb “J” (my puppies who have appeared in your blog) or reading Joey’s GMG Blog. Very fine job from a very fine guy.
My friends from other states have even subscribed. I know it must be time-consuming, however, keep up the good work.
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A thoughtful (and very Joey-esque) assessment about blogs and newspapers and the need for both.
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Joey, I couldn’t agree with you anymore than I do. Excellent job.
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